Incredible Comet Bigger than the Sun
The sun remains by far the most massive object in the solar system, with an extended influence of particles that reaches all the planets. But the comparatively tiny Comet Holmes has released so much gas and dust that its extended atmosphere, or coma, is larger than the diameter of the sun. The comparison is clear in a new image.
"It continues to expand and is now the largest single object in the solar system," according to astronomers at the University of Hawaii.
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Holmes is still visible to the naked eye as a fuzzy star anytime after dark, high in the northeast sky. You can find it by using this sky map. It is faintly visible from cities, and from dark country locations is truly remarkable.
"Right now, in a dark sky it appears as a very noticeable circular cloud," said Joe Rao, SPACE.com's Skywatching Columnist. Rao advises looking for the comet this weekend, before the moon becomes more of a factor. The comet will likely diminish in brightness yet remain visible for the next two to three weeks, he said.
So, I'm sure you have all read about the One Laptop Per Child program. They are doing their Give One Get One campaign right now. I'm thinking about donating a laptop and wanted to know if any of you have any info on the laptop itself?
Also, that is so cool about Thanksgiving, Tom! It feeds into that whole Consuming is Patriotic thing the US has going.
wanted to know if any of you have any info on the laptop itself?
It's supposed to be really awesome. The only bad thing from an adult perspective is the keys are small for an adult.
David Pogue in the NY Times did a review of it a few weeks ago. Including a video showing all the neat features.
Anyone watch Private Practice last night?
Here's Pogue's review: [link]
すみこさんお誕生日おめでとう！
Sumikosan otanjobi omedetou!
(happy birthday sumi)
Thanks, tommyrot and Hil. I'm not worried about a laptop for me or my sized hands. But I was thinking about how cool it would be if I could get a parent org here to release funds for about 20 of them and then donate the 20 they receive to the school.
I'm also thinking about donating one and using the one I get for my day care woman's son who just toasted his used laptop. He's 7... I wonder if it would be an okay replacement.
